Blood transfusion syringe



R. P. LANDIS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SYRINGE Filed Aug. 13, 1934 RR Landzls -Q mm Oct. 20, 193

H, a f X Patented Oct. 20, 1936 pplication 11;); .1

This invention relates to mechanism for the direct transfusion of blood from one person to another, and the present application is a continuation in part of my application SerialNo. 703,703, filed December 23, 1933.

Direct transfusion of blood is deemed preferable by leading surgeons as many difficulties are encountered in the use of the indirect methods. However, direct transfusion has heretofore been fraught with certain dangers. The gravest of these is that there is always the possibility of regurgitation of the blood and the flowing back of the blood from the recipient to the donor. If such returning blood is infected it sometimes results that the donor's blood also becomes infected and cases have been known where death. of the donor resulted.

The principal object of my invention is therefore to provide a mechanism whereby blood transfusions may be carried out by a safe semidirect automatic method.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a mechanism of few parts which may be readily assembled and disassembled and which may also be recurrently sterilized without injury to the operative parts.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose forwhich it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structureand relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawing similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure l is a side elevation in somewhat diagrammatic form of the complete assembly.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the syringe valve cap.

Figure 3 is a plan view partly broken out of a gasket valve element.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the combination needle holder and arm clamp.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawing, the numeral I designates a graduated glass syringe of the standard Luer type except that the needle end is eliminated and a metal band 2, having an annular flange 3, is fixed about the syringe at that end. An interiorly threaded collar 4 is mounted on the band 2 and has a flange 5 cooperating with the flange 3 to limit the movement of such collar.

A cap 6 has threads I to cooperate with the r." 1 ,1 a. 4. a. 't

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threaded collar d whereby the head may be fastened to the end of the syringe i. The cap 8 also has an inner annular recess 8 extending diametrically across the bottom of which is a tapered rib 9. An important feature of my in- 5 vention is comprised in the combination gasket and valve element I which fits into this annular recess 8. This element 10 has a tapered groove H in one face to fit over the tapered rib 9 so that the gasket can only be disposed in one 10 invariable position within the recess 8. The reason for this will develop as this description is proceeded with.

The gasket valve element I0 is of resilient material such as rubber or the like and of such composition that recurrent boilings thereof for sterilization purposes will not impair its body form or resiliency nor distort the valve elements which are formed therein and which I will now describe. These valve elements comprise flap valves l2 and I3. These valves are formed by cutting through the material of the element III. Each valve is tapered and the valves are operably connected with the body of the element fl'i by the hinge strips l 2a and lie respectively. The taper of the valve I2 is such that suction against the same from the interior of the syringe I will open the valve and pressure from within the syringe will close the valve.

Vice versa, the taper of the valve I3 is such 30 that pressure from within the syringe will open the valve while suction from within will close it.

The cap 6 is provided with an inlet'opening M in communication with the valve l2 and an outlet opening 15 in communication with the valve I3. 3 The outlet I5 is enlarged at lia to form a cavity for the reception of the valve l3 as it opens whereby the size of the cap 6 may be held to a minimum.

The intake passage I4 is adapted for connection to a length of rubber tubing 5 which at its outer end is connected to a Y-fitting H. A donor needle I8 is mounted in connection with one branch of this fitting and another length of tubing I9 is connected to the other branch. A fine gauge needle 20 is connected to the outer end of this tube and is adapted to dip into a beaker 2| containing a solution of sterile normal salt or sodium citrate. A cluster-bowl weight arrangement 22 is connected to said end of the tube about the needle. This holds said needle well submerged in the solution without interfering with the flow of the same to the needle and permits a very small stream of the solution to enter the tube [6 along with the blood from the donor, and aids tion. A standard. form of tube squeezing shut-oil device 23 engages the tube I9 so as to stop the flow of the saltsolution if desired.

The outlet passage I5 is connected to another length of rubber tubing 24. A recipient needle 25 is connected to the outer end of this tube, which has a glass observation section 26 of predetermined length interposed therein. The size of the needles used. may be changed to suit the operator since they are readily removable from their respective tubes.

In connection with the above apparatus I have provided a combination needle stabilizer and tourniquet. This comprises a spring steel arm band 2.! lined with suitable material to prevent slipping on the arm. The band is substantially vof horseshoe form and opposite to its opening is {'formed with a relatively small 'circular spring 'clamp'28 to engage a needle at its hilt as indicated in Figure 3. This holds the needle close to the ar'm" and prevents. any side swinging or longitudinal movement of the needle. The bandwhen j i placed over the-arm contracts about the same with areasonably heavy pressure and serves as a tourniquet. The clamp 28 has two finger members 29 pressure against which will spread the clamp I to receive: the needle.

The above describes in brief detail the mechanical substance of the apparatus, and Ishall now describe in some detail the method of using same.

The valves I Z'and l3 are normally held in closed position by the resilient action of their respective rubber hinges. The valve opening from the suction from the .donor permits the blood to flow into thebarrelrorcylinder of the syringe through the valve l2, but allows none to escape back through Thus, with the outward draw of the, plunger of the cylinder, blood is drawn from the donor into the cylinder past the valve l2. If the needle i8 is in open communication with the solution in the beaker 2|, some of the solution is at the same time drawn-into 'thecylinder. With the reverse action of the plunger, the pressure plus the action of its rubber hinge definitely closes the valve l2 and the accumulated blood is pushed against the valve l3, opening the'same against the resilientiaction of its rubber hinge and the ,blood is then forced through the tube 24 and 5.0- v

-: .valves. wheniatrest are adapted to fit flush on needle 25 into the veins ofthe recipient. Both the the smooth surface'of the gasket l so that there I is no chanceof leakage past the same.

' I will be obvious that since the valves l2 and i3 areia'unitarypart of thegasket l0 they must .always' be placed in the same position to operate as described. is made to occur by reason of the tapered groove ll fitting the matching rib 9 which compels the gasket to be always inserted in the same position to fit within the recess 8. Positive isolation of communication between the inlet l4 and-outletl 5 in the cap mustbemaintained and to this end the gasket I0 is of such- -thickness'as to normally extend slightly beyond the outer edge of the recess 8. ,ThllS, as the collar 4 is threaded onto the cap 6, the open edge of the syringe is drawn tight against the gasket l0 and compresses the resilient rubber thereof. This seals ittightly against the face of the recess 8 on each side of the rib 1 and also presses it tightly into engagement with the side walls of the recess. Thus leakage from the inlet to the outlet is obviated and also air is positively excluded from entering the instrument.

e For the purposes of sterilization the parts may be easily disassembled by merely retracting the collar 4 from the cap 6.

The needle 25 is specially prepared with a pair of globular elements 25a forming an intermediate crevice 25b into which the fastening ligature presses the wall of the vein as the needle is set in position, whereby to positively prevent forward or backward movement of the needle and hold it positively in one set position.

The observation glass tube 26 permits clear observation of the blood as it is forced into the veins of the recipient and permits quick detection of any accumulated air bubbles in time to prevent the same entering the veins of recipient.- In the event air bubbles appear during the process of operation the needle end of this tube can be quickly disconnected, the bubbles permitted to escape, and reconnection hurriedly made. All the connections of the tubes with the cap and with this observation glass are of a quick detachable type of desired form so that connections and disconnections may be made Without seriously interfering with the blood transfusion operation.

The combination tourniquet and needle stabilizer 21 adds a very valuable feature to the combination since it serves to hold the hilt of the needle close to the arm of the donor and to prev.vent wobbling thereof while at the same time forming a very eflective tourniquet.

It will be obvious that my double acting valve structure controlled as it is by the back and forth movement of the plunger presents an automatic feature for withdrawing the blood from the donor, then definitely shutting off any communication between the blood andthe donor, and then forcing this donated blood through the opposite valve into the veins of the recipient. This is done by the mere action of the plunger itself and obviates the necessity of manipulation, or watching to see that the valves are opened and closed at the proper time as is a necessary requisite inconnection with the use of other types of apparatus in order to make sure that there is no return of the blood of the recipient into the veins of the donor. By reason of this valve arrange-e ment it is absolutely impossible for the blood to flow back into the syringe from the recipient,

or to flow back from the syringe to the donor-- which situation presents a most important factor ofsafety. The operation of the mechanismmay also be stopped at any time without any possible chance of regurgitation of blood.

Another important feature of my invention is that by reason of the special arrangement shown, the syringe may be of suificient capacity to facilitate the operation of the transfusion 'of blood with a considerably lesser number-oi? mechanical movements in the transfusion of a given amount of blood over those required in other known apparatus. At the same time, there is offered all the advantages of a syringe of lesser capacity.

While I have specified the cap 6 as being made of suitable material, it will be preferably-made of the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

. Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a blood transfusion syringe, a syringe barrel, a cap on the barrel having spaced inlet and outlet passages, a resilient and flexible gasket-disc between the barrel and cap, the adjacent surfaces of the disc and cap contactingwith each other oversubstantially the entire area of the disc, and spaced and relatively opposed inlet and outlet flap valves formed integral with and cut through the material of the disc to provide communication between the barrel and the corresponding cap passages; the outlet valve opening outwardly and the inner face of the cap having a recess therein larger than the outlet valve to enable the same to open into said recess.

2. In a blood transfusion syringe, a syringe barrel, a cap on the barrel having spaced inlet and outlet passages, a resilient and flexible gasket-disc between the barrel and cap, spaced and relatively opposed self-closing inlet and outsponding cap passages, and means between the cap and disc to form a seal preventing communication between the inlet valve and outlet passage, and between the outlet valve and inlet passage.

3. A blood transfusion syringe comprising a syringe body, a cap on the body having spaced inlet and outlet passages, a gasket removably interposed between the cap and body, the gasket having spaced openings to match the passages, self-closing inlet and outlet valves for said openings mounted in fixed non-removable relation with the gasket, said valves respectively opening inwardly and outwardly of the body, and a tapered rib across the bottom of the cap, the gasket having a tapered groove to match the rib.

4. A blood transfusion syringe comprising a syringe body, a cap on the body having spaced inlet and outlet passages, a gasket removably interposed between the cap and body, the gasket having spaced openings to match the passages, self-closinginlet and outlet valves for said openings mounted in fixed non-removable relation with the gasket, said valves respectively opening inwardly and outwardly of the body, and cooperatingelements on the gasket and cap arranged to enable the gasket, when being mounted in place, to be disposed only in a predetermined position relative to the cap.

5. A blood transfusion syringe comprising a syringe body, a cap on the body having spaced inlet and outlet passages, a gasket removably interposed between the cap and body, the gasket having spaced openings to match the passages, and self-closing inlet and outlet valves for said openings mounted in fixed non-removable relation-on the gesket; said valves respectively opening inwardly and outwardly of the body.-

RICHARD P. LANDIS. 

